He said: “They give us one rule poor people and another rule for big businesses. The way they treat people who can’t turn up to their assessments – often for very good reasons – is in stark contrast to the way the business itself is treated.”

Toby Perkins MP said he will be contacting Atos for an explanation.

He said: “This shows disregard towards people with health disadvantages. Disabled people, many in wheelchairs, had to endure the severe weather on Sunday before realising their appointments would not go ahead”.

A spokesperson for Atos Healthcare – who conduct assessments on behalf of the DWP (Department for Work and Pensions, said: “The security guard is employeed by Trillium on behalf of the DWP.

“Our employees were also unable to gain access to the building which is neither owned or managed by Atos. We did all we could to alert people to the building closure before they arrived for their appointment on the day and have subsequently rearranged all appointments.”